The Hardest Choice
By: Book 'em Again, honu59, jodm, Tanith2011, and "AC"
Cover art by: bkart
Chapter 1
Danny Williams could hear the roar of the protesters and counter-protestors outside even though their mingled shouts made it impossible to understand what they were saying. But that didn't matter as Danny knew all too well what the fuss was about: nothing divided the populace of Hawaii more strongly than the issues surrounding land rights and ownership.
In a few minutes, Governor Jameson would deliver a speech announcing whether he would sign or veto a bill that would give a coveted area of land to the native Hawaiian people. It was a decision that was turning out to be one the most controversial of Jameson's governorship, a decision that would make one of those very vocal and opinionated groups furious and no one outside of Jameson's closest advisors knew what it would be – not even Five-O.
Knowing that controversy and large crowds could be a recipe for violence, Five-O and HPD were on high alert. Danny had the job of bodyguard while Steve oversaw security and Kono and Chin worked closely with HPD to manage the crowds.
Glancing out the window, Danny studied the large crowd outside of the Capitol Building and murmured, "I wish you would have given this speech from your office."
Governor Jameson smiled and tried to put the nervous detective at ease. "You're worrying too much."
"I can ask Steve to come back in here so you can tell him that."
"No," Jameson growled. "He'll just start harping on me to wear that vest again."
"Sir, that's not a bad idea."
"Don't you start too," Jameson snapped before softening his tone, "Danny, I'm grateful that you are concerned about my safety but to treat the citizens of Hawaii as threats simply because they are exercising their right to free speech is something I cannot do. To wear a vest would be to an insult to those who have chosen to express their political opinion."
"I understand," Danny admitted. "I just wish it could be different."
Jameson's response was interrupted by the voice of Steve McGarrett coming over the walkie-talkie in Danny's hand. "Danno, do you read me?"
"Loud and clear."
"Bring him out."
Danny looked at the Governor who was already rising from his chair. "Ten-four."
Danny led Jameson through the building, nodding at each HPD officer he passed, until they reached the front doors. After the officers on duty checked to make sure the scene remained clear, Danny first walked through the doors before allowing the Governor to follow.
Keeping one eye on the Governor and another on the crowd, Danny reminded himself, that unlike the Governor, he had to treat every person as a potential threat. That attention paid off when Jameson stepped up to the podium and Danny noticed a man in the third row reach into his jacket.
"People of Hawaii, I…"
The man pulled out a gun.
Moving faster than he could think, Danny pushed the Governor to the ground as a bullet ripped through the detective's flesh.
o-o-o-o-o
McGarrett watched in horror as he saw his second-in-command fall to the ground. Even from where he stood, he could see the pain written all over the young man's face.
"Chin, Kono," Steve barked into the walkie-talkie. "The shot sounded as if it came from the third row. Find that shooter!"
"We're already on it, Boss," Kono said as he and Chin searched the large sea of people while Steve hurried to get to the governor and Danny.
o-o-o-o-o
"Sir, are you all right?" Steve asked as he rushed up to Jameson.
"Yes, I'm fine. It's Danny that's been hit."
Steve knelt down next to the wounded young man clutching his right arm. "Danno," he said gently.
"He…he was in the third row, Steve," Danny began, wincing. "I saw him reach into his jacket."
"Easy, Danno, easy. Chin and Kono are on it. Did you see what color the jacket was?"
"Brown. It was long. He was Hawaiian, about six feet or so."
Steve brought up the walkie-talkie. "Chin, Kono. We're looking for a man, Hawaiian, about 6 feet wearing a long brown coat. He was in the third row as I suspected."
"Steve," Chin's voice replied. "We're still searching, but I think our man got away. There's no one around here fitting that description."
"Not even close, Boss," Kono chimed in.
A grunt of pain from Danny got Steve's attention. He looked down sympathetically at the young man and rested his hand gently on his good shoulder as he spoke into the walkie-talkie.
"Alright. I guess I should have figured he'd be long gone by now. Still, keep your eyes open."
"How's Danny?" Kono asked.
"It could have been worse," Steve replied as he set the walkie-talkie down. "Just take it easy, Danno. An ambulance is on its way."
o-o-o-o-o
Maleko Kapule slammed the panel of the van door shut then pulled down the garage door before thundering up the stairs, adrenaline rushing through him. He yanked the front door open and stormed inside, breathing hard and sweating profusely. His mind took him back to the shooting barely a half hour ago outside the Capitol Building. Maleko remembered taking aim at the Governor but somehow he must've been seen for he was knocked to the ground just as he fired his round. Still, the Hawaiian thought his shot had found its mark just in time. He didn't stick around to find out for sure once he fired his pistol. He fled the scene quickly amidst the confusion of the crowd he left behind.
"What is it Bruddah?" A voice coming from the living room drew Maleko's attention.
"Turn on the TV, Kimo!" Maleko ordered loudly as he strode over to the living room.
With confusion written on his face, the young Hawaiian youth walked over to the television set and turned it on. The news broadcast blared out of the frontal speakers of the old television set and Maleko stepped toward it, his brown eyes glued to the screen. Sure enough images of the Capitol Building were shown along with a large crowd of protestors being dispersed by HPD officers.
"What's going on?" Kimo asked nervously, eyeing his older brother suspiciously.
"Quiet!" Maleko snapped as he turned up the volume.
"…though the Governor escaped serious injury, we have reports that a Five-O detective was wounded…" The newsreader broadcasted the headline news.
"No, no, no! I had him!" Maleko threw his arms up in frustration and fury.
"What have you done, Maleko?" Kimo rounded on his brother.
"It's what I should've done kaikaina! Da pig ruined everything!"
"Maleko! Please don't tell me you went over dere and…" Kimo's voice trailed off as the shock of what his brother was implying registered.
"I sure did little bruddah! If da damn pig didn't get in da way… "
"Maleko! Why?"
"Because dat man is a liar! Do you think for one minute dat he's gonna sign dat bill? What does he care about our people? He's a Haole and dey are all the same! Dey say one thing and do another! Why would he give back land dat is rightfully ours when dey can use it to build dose high-rise apartment blocks?" The hatred in Maleko's eyes was unmistakable and left Kimo in a state of speechlessness. He knew how passionately his brother felt about their land and the never-ending conflict that divided the people of Hawaii.
